James Pizzurro
@jamespizzurro.com
Software engineer. Newly-minted Toronto resident by way of Baltimore, Washington DC, and parts beyond. Advocate for people-oriented places. Amateur cocktail guy. Side project: ARIES for Transit (ariesfortransit.com).
Pinned
James Pizzurro
@jamespizzurro.com
· May 1
Greetings from Old Toronto! I'll be living and working here for a while. Excited to explore a new city, province, and country. 😊
Americans, Baltimoreans: I'll be back to visit soon.
Canadians, Torontonians: Thank you in advance for your hospitality and patience as a guest here.
Americans, Baltimoreans: I'll be back to visit soon.
Canadians, Torontonians: Thank you in advance for your hospitality and patience as a guest here.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
December 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
if the mta sold F/M swap merch they'd be funded for the next decade
December 18, 2025 at 3:50 AM
if the mta sold F/M swap merch they'd be funded for the next decade
Reposted by James Pizzurro
It's that time of the year: @cmtalliance.bsky.social is out with another transportation report card for Baltimore! We at ARIES for Transit are proud to have contributed the transit data and analyses for this report. 😊
Baltimore region receives a D for transportation in latest ‘report card’
Baltimore’s transportation network improved little to meet the needs of its residents during the past two years, according to the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance’s latest report card.
www.thebanner.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
It's that time of the year: @cmtalliance.bsky.social is out with another transportation report card for Baltimore! We at ARIES for Transit are proud to have contributed the transit data and analyses for this report. 😊
How do these results compare to 2023, the last time we performed a similar analysis?
Headway adherence: 58.11% → 65.48% (~13% increase)
Schedule adherence: 74.49% → 75.87% (~2% increase)
Data integrity: 80.25% → 90.85% (~13% increase)
So, Baltimore improved across the board, but so did its peers.
Headway adherence: 58.11% → 65.48% (~13% increase)
Schedule adherence: 74.49% → 75.87% (~2% increase)
Data integrity: 80.25% → 90.85% (~13% increase)
So, Baltimore improved across the board, but so did its peers.
So, how's Baltimore transit performing compared to its peer MSAs? The answer: last in headway adherence, second-to-last in schedule adherence, and middle of the pack in data integrity.
You can download our full report to CMTA here: cmtalliance.org/download/ari...
You can download our full report to CMTA here: cmtalliance.org/download/ari...
December 17, 2025 at 7:43 PM
How do these results compare to 2023, the last time we performed a similar analysis?
Headway adherence: 58.11% → 65.48% (~13% increase)
Schedule adherence: 74.49% → 75.87% (~2% increase)
Data integrity: 80.25% → 90.85% (~13% increase)
So, Baltimore improved across the board, but so did its peers.
Headway adherence: 58.11% → 65.48% (~13% increase)
Schedule adherence: 74.49% → 75.87% (~2% increase)
Data integrity: 80.25% → 90.85% (~13% increase)
So, Baltimore improved across the board, but so did its peers.
It's that time of the year: @cmtalliance.bsky.social is out with another transportation report card for Baltimore! We at ARIES for Transit are proud to have contributed the transit data and analyses for this report. 😊
Baltimore region receives a D for transportation in latest ‘report card’
Baltimore’s transportation network improved little to meet the needs of its residents during the past two years, according to the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance’s latest report card.
www.thebanner.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
It's that time of the year: @cmtalliance.bsky.social is out with another transportation report card for Baltimore! We at ARIES for Transit are proud to have contributed the transit data and analyses for this report. 😊
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Fantastic piece here from @chittimarco.bsky.social on the value of fast transit:
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Speed matters
Of time, life and space. Or why transit speed matters.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Fantastic piece here from @chittimarco.bsky.social on the value of fast transit:
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Street safety is *not* a shared responsibility.
Rather, it's a responsibility borne by those who have the greatest power to make streets safer: Car companies, policymakers, and road designers.
Stop shifting blame on those walking, biking, and driving.
www.kqed.org/news/1206717...
Rather, it's a responsibility borne by those who have the greatest power to make streets safer: Car companies, policymakers, and road designers.
Stop shifting blame on those walking, biking, and driving.
www.kqed.org/news/1206717...
December 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Street safety is *not* a shared responsibility.
Rather, it's a responsibility borne by those who have the greatest power to make streets safer: Car companies, policymakers, and road designers.
Stop shifting blame on those walking, biking, and driving.
www.kqed.org/news/1206717...
Rather, it's a responsibility borne by those who have the greatest power to make streets safer: Car companies, policymakers, and road designers.
Stop shifting blame on those walking, biking, and driving.
www.kqed.org/news/1206717...
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Yet another illustration of how "freedom of choice" exists only within socially circumscribed bounds that limit others' choices
Who would win in a crash: A small Japanese car that isn't designed for a high-speed collision because they just don't happen across the Pacific... or an SUV designed to look like a battering ram?
The Real Reason America Can't Have The Tiny Japanese-Style Cars Trump Says He Wants — Streetsblog USA
President Trump is right that kei cars are super-kawaii — but he's wrong that clearing the regulatory decks is enough to bring them to U.S. shores.
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Yet another illustration of how "freedom of choice" exists only within socially circumscribed bounds that limit others' choices
you love to see it!
Nobody moves any amendments to Mayor Olivia Chow's motion to speed up the Finch West LRT, streetcars and other transit routes with better signal priority.
The motion CARRIES 22-1.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
The motion CARRIES 22-1.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
December 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
you love to see it!
Ontario apparently hasn't issued any Express Entry Notifications of Interest (NOIs) for permanent residency since October 2024—literally none (so far) in 2025, which is pretty shocking considering a total of 23,262 were issued in 2024.
OINP Express Entry Notifications of Interest
Get information about Notifications of Interest sent by OINP to candidates with a profile in the Government of Canada’s Express Entry system
www.ontario.ca
December 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Ontario apparently hasn't issued any Express Entry Notifications of Interest (NOIs) for permanent residency since October 2024—literally none (so far) in 2025, which is pretty shocking considering a total of 23,262 were issued in 2024.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Apropos to a post I'm not going to quote: no, you are not fucking obliged to battle the fucking right on fucking social media, or go to where they are. Why make yourself miserable shouting at bots (who don't care) or trolls (who get off on your misery). Make your fucking social media enjoyable, FFS.
December 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Apropos to a post I'm not going to quote: no, you are not fucking obliged to battle the fucking right on fucking social media, or go to where they are. Why make yourself miserable shouting at bots (who don't care) or trolls (who get off on your misery). Make your fucking social media enjoyable, FFS.
Reposted by James Pizzurro
“X is fine because I’m too savvy to have my brain corrupted by the X algorithm” and “I have amazing and interesting takes about every goddamn thing under the sun” kind of go together
December 15, 2025 at 7:16 PM
“X is fine because I’m too savvy to have my brain corrupted by the X algorithm” and “I have amazing and interesting takes about every goddamn thing under the sun” kind of go together
Among many other things, this video does a great job highlighting the minefield that is comparing cities to each other, and why maybe advocates' time is better spent focusing on ways to improve their own city rather than denigrating the cities of other advocates.
Not Just Bikes vs. Montreal (Two Years Later)
Not Just Bikes vs. Montreal (Two Years Later)
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Among many other things, this video does a great job highlighting the minefield that is comparing cities to each other, and why maybe advocates' time is better spent focusing on ways to improve their own city rather than denigrating the cities of other advocates.
maybe it's time to stop calling the bad site "Twitter", folks
December 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
maybe it's time to stop calling the bad site "Twitter", folks
It's hard to reconcile how much Claude Code, which my company pays for and strongly encourages us to use, has made my job better with how exploitative the product's development has been and continues to be, and the negative effects the AI bubble has had on people and public policy.
December 13, 2025 at 5:43 PM
It's hard to reconcile how much Claude Code, which my company pays for and strongly encourages us to use, has made my job better with how exploitative the product's development has been and continues to be, and the negative effects the AI bubble has had on people and public policy.
nah i'm good thanks
December 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
nah i'm good thanks
All the worst qualities of car ownership (monthly payments, insurance, buying gas) *and* the worst qualities of bad transit service (long waits, infrequent service, lack of dedicated travel lanes)? Sign me up! 🥴
I hope you like gridlock!
"[Rivian CEO] Scaringe said he was 'very bullish' on his cars being self-driving in the next couple of years, such that 'you can own a car, but it can drop you at the airport, it can pick your kids up from school, it can go get things from the store for you.'"
"[Rivian CEO] Scaringe said he was 'very bullish' on his cars being self-driving in the next couple of years, such that 'you can own a car, but it can drop you at the airport, it can pick your kids up from school, it can go get things from the store for you.'"
Rivian's CEO said self-driving cars shouldn't just be able to drive, but also run errands for you like a secretary
CEO RJ Scaringe said he wants his AI-powered cars to be able to coordinate their own servicing, so their owners don't have to.
www.businessinsider.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
All the worst qualities of car ownership (monthly payments, insurance, buying gas) *and* the worst qualities of bad transit service (long waits, infrequent service, lack of dedicated travel lanes)? Sign me up! 🥴
A lack of respect for and trust in our institutions is what has caused a lot of the problems society faces today, from how most generative AI products are being created and marketed (through theft and lies) and are subsequently being (mis)used, to who gets elected and appointed to lead governments.
So, when a critic says, “Ah hah! That app makes shit up!” A lot of people will nod politely. And then they will think to themselves, “Well, so does the newspaper, and so does Facebook, and so do politicians, and none of those help me do this task or say nice things to me when I ask them questions.”
December 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A lack of respect for and trust in our institutions is what has caused a lot of the problems society faces today, from how most generative AI products are being created and marketed (through theft and lies) and are subsequently being (mis)used, to who gets elected and appointed to lead governments.
Back in the US, most transit advocates I know would be worried that a story like this would result in a pendulum swing of divestment from current and future transit projects. Here in Toronto it seems like the risk of that is much lower, and instead the focus will be on fixing the problems. 🤞
Could you outrun the train? Finch LRT takes 55 minutes to cover 10.3 km route | CBC News
Northwest Toronto's newly-opened light-rail transit (LRT) line is getting its first taste of rush hour Monday — but it doesn't appear to be rushing.
www.cbc.ca
December 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Back in the US, most transit advocates I know would be worried that a story like this would result in a pendulum swing of divestment from current and future transit projects. Here in Toronto it seems like the risk of that is much lower, and instead the focus will be on fixing the problems. 🤞
Reposted by James Pizzurro
The City of Toronto seriously needs to get full transit signal priority activated ASAP to help speed up the new Line 6 Finch West, as well as ensure the same for Line 5 Eglinton when it opens. @ttcriders.bsky.social already has a petition to that effect. #TTC #TOpoli www.ttcriders.ca/greenlight
December 7, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The City of Toronto seriously needs to get full transit signal priority activated ASAP to help speed up the new Line 6 Finch West, as well as ensure the same for Line 5 Eglinton when it opens. @ttcriders.bsky.social already has a petition to that effect. #TTC #TOpoli www.ttcriders.ca/greenlight
my american brain can barely comprehend 4.75-minute scheduled headways, let alone 3.5-minute scheduled headways
BREAKING: Toronto’s Line 5 Eglinton (Crosstown LRT) has achieved substantial completion and has been transferred to the TTC. The project is expected to open in the coming weeks.
Service levels are: opening day, trains every 4m45s; after 6 months 3m30s. news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
Service levels are: opening day, trains every 4m45s; after 6 months 3m30s. news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
December 5, 2025 at 8:52 PM
my american brain can barely comprehend 4.75-minute scheduled headways, let alone 3.5-minute scheduled headways
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Same vibes
a cartoon of two men standing next to each other with the caption and now the winner of the first annual montgomery burns award for
ALT: a cartoon of two men standing next to each other with the caption and now the winner of the first annual montgomery burns award for
media.tenor.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Same vibes
Reposted by James Pizzurro
🚍‼️ The new #TTC #RapidTO bus lanes on #Dufferin are great! Next, they should be:
-⬆️ extended north from Bloor to Eglinton
-🚌 paired w/ frequent & reliable service
-↔️ added to Finch, Lawrence, Jane & Steeles
✍🏾 Sign @ttcriders.bsky.social petition to expand & improve them: www.TTCriders.ca/Lanes
-⬆️ extended north from Bloor to Eglinton
-🚌 paired w/ frequent & reliable service
-↔️ added to Finch, Lawrence, Jane & Steeles
✍🏾 Sign @ttcriders.bsky.social petition to expand & improve them: www.TTCriders.ca/Lanes
November 30, 2025 at 4:28 PM
🚍‼️ The new #TTC #RapidTO bus lanes on #Dufferin are great! Next, they should be:
-⬆️ extended north from Bloor to Eglinton
-🚌 paired w/ frequent & reliable service
-↔️ added to Finch, Lawrence, Jane & Steeles
✍🏾 Sign @ttcriders.bsky.social petition to expand & improve them: www.TTCriders.ca/Lanes
-⬆️ extended north from Bloor to Eglinton
-🚌 paired w/ frequent & reliable service
-↔️ added to Finch, Lawrence, Jane & Steeles
✍🏾 Sign @ttcriders.bsky.social petition to expand & improve them: www.TTCriders.ca/Lanes
Reposted by James Pizzurro
Red carpet for the Red Rocket
November 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Red carpet for the Red Rocket
First time at The Danforth Music Hall last night to see @thebeths.bsky.social. Great venue, great band. Thanks for making the trip up to Toronto! Looking forward to my next opportunity to see a show there and explore the area a bit more.
November 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM
First time at The Danforth Music Hall last night to see @thebeths.bsky.social. Great venue, great band. Thanks for making the trip up to Toronto! Looking forward to my next opportunity to see a show there and explore the area a bit more.